Princess Margriet suffers bone fracture after fall during skating event in Thialf
Princess Margriet, 82, was transported to the hospital by ambulance on Sunday after falling on the ice at Thialf Stadium in Heerenveen. The princess was participating in the Hollandse 100, a charity sports event, when the incident occurred, De Telegraaf reported.
A spokesperson for the event confirmed that Princess Margriet was taken to the hospital "as a precaution" and remained "fully responsive." However, medical staff later determined that she had sustained an upper arm fracture.
The accident happened as Princess Margriet neared the end of her skating session. According to a photographer from ANP present at the event, the princess was completing one of her final laps when she fell. Emergency personnel quickly arrived to assess her condition, and she was seen sitting on the ice as medical staff checked for injuries.
Her son, Prince Bernhard, was by her side shortly after the fall. Another of her sons, Prince Maurits, was also present at the stadium and assisted in attending to his mother.
The Hollandse 100 is an annual event that raises funds for research into lymphoma, a type of blood cancer. The event includes a 10-kilometer ice-skating segment followed by a 90-kilometer cycling portion. Prince Bernhard serves as chairman of Lymph&Co, the foundation organizing the fundraiser.
Princess Margriet, known for her active involvement in sports and charity work, had been participating in the event as part of her longstanding commitment to supporting cancer research.
Video footage from the event shows that the princess was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. Despite the protective gear, organizers and medical staff acted swiftly to ensure she received proper medical attention.
Reporting by ANP and NL Times
